Hazard
A poison by skin contact. Moderately toxic
by ingestion. A mild skin irritant.
Chemical Properties
White powder;Light yellow powder
Uses
A matabolite of tryptophan and a putative NMDA receptor agonist.
Uses
An inhibitor of glucose synthesis.
Uses
Inhibits glucose synthesis
Definition
ChEBI: Quinolinic acid is a pyridinedicarboxylic acid that is pyridine substituted by carboxy groups at positions 2 and 3. It is a metabolite of tryptophan. It has a role as a NMDA receptor agonist, a human metabolite, a mouse metabolite and an Escherichia coli metabolite. It is a conjugate acid of a quinolinate(1-) and a quinolinate.
Biosynthesis
The 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid oxygenase (3-HAO) catalyzes the conversion of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HA) acid to an unstable intermediate, aminocarboxymuconic semialdehyde, which then preferentially converts to QUIN by a nonenzymatic cyclisation. This intermediate compound can also produce picolinic acid instead of QUIN. Finally, QUIN is catabolized to NAD+ and carbon dioxide by the action of quinolinate phosphoribosyl transferase (QPRT). This enzyme has been identified in rat and human CNS tissue[1].
Industrial uses
The use of quinolinic acid during flotation of hematite results in the adsorption of quinoline on hematite, allowing amine to selectively adsorb onto the hematite surface.
Biological Activity
Endogenous NMDA agonist and transmitter candidate. May distinguish between NMDA receptor subtypes.
References
[1] Rafael Lugo-Huitrón. “Quinolinic acid: an endogenous neurotoxin with multiple targets.” Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (2013): 104024.